Washington, D.C. -- The late Senator Daniel Inouye received the Medal of Freedom this morning, in a ceremony in the White House East Room.

The Medal of Freedom is our nation's highest civilian honor, presented to individuals who have made especially meritorious contributions to the security or national interests of the United States, to world peace, or to cultural or other significant public or private endeavors.

President Barack Obama presented the medals to 16 honorees or their families. Senator Inouye's widow, Irene Hirano Inouye accepted the award on her husband's behalf.

"As the second longest serving senator in American history, he showed a generation of young people, including one kid with a funny name growing up in Hawai'i, who noticed that there was somebody during those hearings in Washington that didn't look like everybody else, which meant that I had a chance to do something important too," said President Obama.

"For Dan, it was never about the honors, it was never about the namings. But I think it is wonderful that people learn his story. His story is so remarkable. So given the Medal of Freedom, I hope it is an inspiration for the next generations, an inspiration for Americans," said Hirano Inouye.

The medal ceremony comes one day after the Daniel K. Inouye Institute announced the selection of an architectural design team for the Daniel K. Inouye Center at the University of Hawai'i at Mānoa. The center will serve as a living legacy and place of learning that inspires democratic leadership in future generations.

In addition to Inouye, other posthumous recipients of the Medal of Freedom include Astronaut Sally Ride and civil rights activist Bayard Rustin.

The White House East Room was filled with friends and family of the medal recipients, including former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, daughter Chelsea Clinton and filmmaker Steven Spielberg.

First Lady Michelle Obama, Vice President Joe Biden and wife Jill were also in attendance.

Senator Inouye received the Presidential Medal of Freedom during the 50th anniversary of the Executive Order by John F. Kennedy that established the Medal of Freedom as a way to honor civilian service.

Soundbites:

President Barack Obama:As the second longest serving senator in American history, he showed a generation of young people, including one kid with a funny name growing up in Hawaiʻi who noticed that there was somebody during those hearings in Washington that didn't look like everybody else which meant that I had a chance to do something important too. (:22 seconds)

Behave yourself, take special effort he said. I did not want to dishonor my family. And he always honored his family and his country, even though his country didn't always honor him. (:13 seconds)

He thought always that no matter what you looked like or where you come from this country has a place for everybody who's willing to serve and work hard. (:07 seconds)

Irene Hirano Inouye/Sen. Daniel Inouye's Widow:For Dan it was never about the honors, it was never about the namings. But I think it is wonderful that people learn his story. His story is so remarkable. So given the Medal of Freedom, I hope it is an inspiration for the next generations, an inspiration for Americans. (:19 seconds)